"Desertshore" is the third studio album by German musician Nico, released in December 1970. The album marks a radical departure from her first two albums, which were heavily influenced by her then musical partner Lou Reed. Unlike those albums, "Desertshore" is predominantly just Nico and her harmonium, with sparse orchestration accompanying her haunting vocals.
The album features lyrics written by Nico and music jointly composed by Nico and underground filmmaker Philippe Garrel. A significant shift from her previous work with The Velvet Underground, the album's ethereal sound and dark lyrical content, combined with Nico's deep, resonant voice, challenged listener's expectations and received mixed reactions upon its initial release. However, it has since gained a cult following and is now considered a significant work in the avant-garde music genre.
"Desertshore" was recorded in a makeshift home studio and, due to her limited funds, was initially available only in France upon its release. Nevertheless, the album's stark beauty, combined with Nico's uncompromising vision, has made this album a seminal work in her discography, as well as a cornerstone of 20th century experimental music.
Despite its lack of commercial success, "Desertshore" had a significant impact on subsequent generations of musicians, and its influence can still be heard in the work of many contemporary artists. Nico's ground-breaking use of the harmonium continues to inspire artists, and the album's mix of European folk and avant-garde music forms a unique and powerful expression of Nico's artistic vision.
